The Deputy Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Alexander Twum-Barimah, has emphasized the need for NACOC to be included in teams responsible for inspecting containers entering and leaving Ghana's ports. He argues that NACOC's involvement is crucial in detecting and preventing narcotics trafficking, particularly as containers are often loaded outside the port before being transported into the country's ports. This call comes amid recent drug busts and renewed concerns about Ghana being used as a transit point for illicit drugs.
Mr. Twum-Barimah questioned why authorities would limit the number of agencies involved in port inspections without including NACOC, which is specifically mandated to deal with narcotics. He stressed that while limiting agencies may facilitate trade, narcotics control should remain a priority. According to him, NACOC should be included in the inspection arrangement because other agencies involved do not have the same specific mandate to apprehend narcotics.
The NACOC Deputy Director-General proposed that even if authorities opt for a single inspection team to streamline operations at the ports, NACOC should be represented. He suggested that NACOC should be part of the team, given its expertise in narcotics control. Mr. Twum-Barimah also disclosed that NACOC has undertaken internal efforts to address significant institutional gaps affecting its operations.
NACOC has worked to strengthen its institutional position and ensure that it is properly integrated into Ghana's security and intelligence architecture over the past two years. Mr. Twum-Barimah stated that the Commission inherited an institution with several gaps that had weakened its effectiveness in narcotics control. He mentioned that NACOC was previously excluded from important security structures despite its mandate to combat narcotics-related offenses.
The Commission was not part of the regional and district security council, and it was also omitted from the framework created under Ghana's Security and Intelligence Agencies Act in 2020. However, Mr. Twum-Barimah noted that these issues have since been addressed. He emphasized that closer integration of NACOC into port inspection and national security structures would strengthen the country's capacity to identify and intercept narcotics.
Mr. Twum-Barimah's comments come as Ghana continues to grapple with the challenge of narcotics trafficking. The country has seen several high-profile drug busts in recent times, raising concerns about its role as a transit point for illicit drugs. The NACOC Deputy Director-General's call for greater involvement in port inspections is seen as a move to bolster the country's efforts to combat narcotics trafficking.
The integration of NACOC into port inspection teams and national security structures is expected to enhance the country's ability to detect and prevent narcotics trafficking. With NACOC's expertise and mandate, the Commission is well-positioned to play a critical role in addressing the challenge of narcotics trafficking in Ghana.
Key points
- NACOC Deputy Director-General Alexander Twum-Barimah calls for NACOC to be included in port inspection teams to strengthen efforts to detect and prevent narcotics trafficking.
